As reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park and other parts of of the Rocky Mountain west has demonstrated, the presence of wolves has a positive effect on numerous individual species of plants and animals. It is beneficial to the ecosystem as a whole.

Joseph Pullara, Port Angeles WA

OSU Forest hydrologist Robert Beschta makes a strong case for wolves as a keystone species in riparian systems, controlling populations of ungulates. His research indicates that the extirpation of wolves on the Olympic Peninsula has led to overpopulation of elk, leading to abnormally high levels of herbivory on cottonwoods and maples and destabilization of river banks. The return of the gray wolf to the Olympic Peninsula will help restore river systems, providing refugia for young fish during times of high rainfall.

Patricia Willits, Port Angeles WA

Our huntable deer and elk herds are dwindling by the year. This is only going to make it worse.

Johnny Rebel, East Wenatchee WA

We can not neglect the Olympic Peninsula, as this fragile ecosystem is in decline, threatened at so many levels, as a result of eradicating the wolf. The apex hunter is missing and now the entire landscape is being tossed into a confusion of swift and unfortunate change. The "contemporary landscape" is a nice way of referring to the absence of curtailing irresponsible human development.

Sean V Owen, Seattle WA

Song bird populations have been in decline for some years, largely because of habitat destruction. To help reduce the population decline we should strive to provide habitat of the highest quality, wolves are vital in doing so.

Tristan Higgins, Seattle WA

Wolves will have a positive effect. A more complete ecosystem should produce better benifits for all, including hunters and other public land users.

Anonymous

Repopulation of wolves will have a positive impact on the environment and ecosystems.

Joe Sheeran, Ellensburg WA

You'll see drastic ecosystem changes if the wolves are brought into the state. Change starts at the top with the keystone predators, you know this, listen to the science.

Ty Brown, Naches WA

Manipulated information that is misleading, a sales pitch for wolves.

dale denney, colville WA

There is a known effect on other species of wildlife, we are already low on numbers of elk in the Blue Mountians and the numbers will only decrease with the inforduction of more wolves.

AnonymousClarkston WA

Our deer, elk and moose are hurting because of too many wolves

Bill Swank, Spangle WA

See #1

Anonymous

This action of protecting predators will help restore our ecosystem

Diane Sonntag, Tenino WA

I value the ecological effects of wolves as much as the aesthetic ones. These effects have been documented for the greater Yellowstone area.

Matt Dahlgreen, Wenatchee WA

They'll decimate the deer & elk, look at Yellowstone and Idaho and Montana. Not hard to figure that out.

Duane Bernard, Rainier OR

A healthy ecosystem needs large predators.

Kathleen Fisher, Shoreline WA

A healthy ecosystem needs large predators.

Frank Fisher, Shoreline WA

look at anything that isnt in the system now and then look at how introduced aniamalls have destroyed other species wolve are like sealions destroy the eco

gary Ryan, sekiu WA

I found these sections (4.1.1 -4.1.4) interesting and fairly well researched.

Jennifer Molesworth, Twisp WA

Larger fines for garbage dumpers

Darrell Quimby, Elma Wa WA

See above.

Charles LeBer, Port Angeles WA

Wolves will have tremendous impacts on ungulate populations and other carnivors.

Wayne Vinyard, Glenwood WA

current studies point into miss managed good intentions. look at the conflicts in other stated and ask the farmers there if they are happy???

FRED S Chapman, Jr, RAYMOND WA

The same impact could be had by increasing the amount of hunting tags for deer and elk and moose.

Corey Watson, Auburn WA

I believe, and many biologists agree, that the large carnivores, such as wolves, are essential to a viable and stable ecosystem.

James R Salkas, Oak Lawn IL

We need key predatory functions in ecosystem management strategies. The wolf and its popular presence in Yellowstone is a perfect reminder of how much we have to loose without them. Wolves help restore riparian forest systems increasing bird and beaver populatoins, they help increase pronghorn and elk populations and there cannot be enough said about how badly we need them back in the West, regardless of the fear that a few ranchers have- individual loss should not be prioritized over the collective failure of the system on account of targeted livestock. When we put the burdden on carnivore populations by extinguishing them we are insulting our own human creativity. The burden of adjustment needs to be placed squarely on our sholders so that we can adapt to living in the wolf's home in balance. This is possible and is demonstrated in other wolf oriented communities around the world. What we cannot afford is ignoracne that will lead to a repeat of the past slaughtering of predators, particularly wolves, in the land community to which we all belong.

David Moen, Oregon City OR

wolves have depleted elk herds in Montana and Idaho

scott fowler, burlington WA

big effects on deer and elk herds and big horn sheep herds

bruce oergel, ellensburg WA

NO WOLVES

Anonymous

IT WOULD BE DEVISTATING

RYAN JERLES, RAYMOND WA

Wolf management would benefit the ecosystem by allowing big-game numbers to remain at huntable populations while giving hunters that are interested in harvesting wolves a chance to do so.

Mark Olis,

They have not been missed in the past while they did not exist.

Tom Freeman, Tonasket WA

Faarmers and ranchers want a healthy environment. Our commitment to being stewards of the land is our own life blood. What is happening now is that you are forcing food production outside of the US through excessive regulation, because of the re-introduction of species to not only rangeland but rivers and streams. Your "balance" is not mine.

Anonymous

The wolf has positive effects as a whole on the ecosystem.

Ryan Alexander Sparks, Pullman WA

The implications at Yellowstone are very persuasive as to the importance of predators and their relationship to the vegetation. The growth rings show steady growth starting in 96. This coincides with the wolf reintro. As the Willow & other plants started to enjoy less intense ungulate pressure. The waters slowed down and the flood plains began to function as before. The beaver,trout,otters,& warblers. The Bears enjoy the abundant protein source previously just out of their reach.

Bill Liggett, Eatonville WA

kill every damn wolf in washington idaho and montana. its devastating the elk and deer populations already in tremendous amounts. hunters keep the populations of elk and deer at a good rate anyhow theres no need in destroy all of the deer and elk. soon there wont be any. i hate this state and its government. i hate washington state

Anonymous

Alternative 1 is your perferred. ALternative not 2...

Jim Rubert, Puyallup WA

They will disrupt the cougar populations.

Raymond Borbon, Kirkland WA

If there are fewer hunting licenses sold, the state of Washington will not have sufficient funds to continue present operations.

Jay Arment, Spokane WA

Wolves will help keep our deer population from exploding.

Kevin O'Halloran, Seattle WA

Wolves are part of the natural ecosystem and should help out in the long run. The ecosystem has evolved since wolves were prevalent and will probably encounter some rough times, but down the road the ecosystem will prevail and become a better place for all organisms.

Karl Schulke, Republic WA

Positive

Roger Wallace, Leavenworth WA

It is my hope and belief that a properly managed wolf population will have positive impacts on the greater ecosystem.

Ted Grudowski, Seattle WA

Wolves are killing machines, period.

Jeff Butterworth, Maple Valley WA

I believe wolves play a critical role in keeping browsing mammal populations in check, so that they do not over-browse and cause erosion

Andrew Reding, Port Townsend WA

Groups such as Defender of Wildlife have the best arguments in favor of protecting wolves which are based in the science that demonstrates the important role that wolves play in their ecosystems.

elizabeth archambault, Seattle WA

I was very pleased to see a great summary that included the entire ecosystem of plants, streams and other systems.

Lois Neuman, Vancouver WA

As a member online of the League of Women Voters and also having a sister who is a chairperson of the League of Women Voters in Virginia who works parttime for a Senator who support the conservation of God's breathing creations, not for man's purpose, but for His.

MB , FL

bringing back wolves will surely be beneficial to the plant and producer population, because the wolves will thin out the ungulates.

Ka'imiloa , Battle Ground WA

The management plan should help re-balance ecosystems.

Anonymous

They will change things back and of course you may see some law of unintentended conconsequences.